'Tis the Season

It's that time of year again, and no we aren't talking President's Day galas here. It's MLS Spring Season!

The MLS Combine is done and the Mexicans still can't beat us within our borders. Now the MLS teams, like Ontarian Snow Birds are flocking south to gear up for their 12th season.

First up is the Colorado Rapids vs. Real Salt Lake. Billed as a return of MLS to Broward Country as several players are either former Fusionistas or local area collegemen and residents.

In any case, Striker Likers will be in full support so keep your eye out for the Gold, Red and Black. The game will be played at the new Central Broward Regional Park (just west of the Swap Shop on Sunrise Blvd). The game is Friday, February 22nd, at 7:30pm. $10 for adults, $5 for those under 18.

A Feast for the Eyes

Take a good look everyone, that's a new Strikers shirt. It's going to be everywhere, so get used to it. So far it's been seen by Cobi Jones, Ruud Gullit, Jeff Agoos, and the honorable Frank Klopas. If anyone else out there wants to join in the fun, get a Striker shirt and get out there!

Two new posts? In one day?

I just switched from a VAIO to a Macbook. Plus it was a holiday and New Years and just wait, I've got some cool stuff coming to this blog real quick.

Striker Likers Episode IV: A New Hope

Can the rumors be true? Please! It's been floating around that perhaps Lockhart Stadium might survive a Baltimore Oriole takeover. Reason being is that the Fort Lauderdale executive airport might restrict the building plans of the massive and excessive Spring training facility. Also of note is that Oriole officials are speaking with representatives in Vero Beach who want in on the Spring training action.

Us here at Striker Likers dot com say, "Give those damn Vero-ians there baseball!"

Sun-Sentinel and the South Florida Business Journal both reported on the issue as well as the possibility that the former Orange Bowl site maybe constructed with a soccer stadium adjacent to a new Marlins stadium. Conditions beware though as the Marlins haven't yet confirmed, nor denied, the effort to build a new park there and if a soccer stadium is to follow someone's gonna have to fork over at least $50 million.

Car wash anyone?

History Lesson

OK, so this isn't your momma's Ft. Lauderdale Strikers. Well, get over it. These are my Strikers; as this is my post.

I've been getting a lot of heat for touting a franchise that seemingly lasted less than a decade and fizzled out in the early eighties. But lest we not forget the glory we had when our beloved Strikers were reborn and took the APSL by storm in the late eighties and early nineties.

These were my heroes. I went to their soccer camps and I knew everyone by name, some even by nickname (Troy 'Chopper' Edwards being the best). In any case, I just wanted to give a shout to the only Striker team to ever finish on top. We will reign again. 9-9-89.

Thank You Sun-Sentinel

For those of you who don't know, the Sun-Sentinel is a Striker Likers newspaper. It's our local record and examiner. From the NASL days to the APSL championship run and even through today, we Likers get our soccer fix from the Sun-Sentinel's pages.

Still, mistakes are made. In recent light of the Miami Dolphins record-breaking season, it seemed fitting for some staff members at the Sun to take a jab at our beloved Strikers. Some people still think that the number of points on the scoreboard are directly related to the excitement and action on the field.

As Likers, we know the contrary. So thank you Sun-Sentinel for living in the past enough to think that people make fun of soccer because of "low scores". Instead, you went above and beyond, you put the Striker jersey back where it should be, on the pages of your Sports Section.

The Gods Have Spoken

Italy has been awarded for their humbleness in stealing a World Cup second round victory over Australia with a dubious penalty by being placed in Euro '08's 'Group of Death' along side France, Holland, and Romania.

Good things just always seem to happen to good people.

In other news, still no Ft. Lauderdale Strikers, but you can catch the Orlando Sharks of the MISL on Fox Soccer Channel (they're still winless after 7 games, but we've got our fingers crossed) and the USL and MSL doesn't start still April.

We'll be posting some more authentic Striker memoribilia to the blog, we've got a license plate and small banner.